2 die as heavy rains lashed Himachal

Two persons died as heavy rains today lashed Himachal Pradesh where an alert was sounded following rise in the level of major rivers and their tributaries.
One person was swept away in gushing waters of Thatari rivulet near Dharamsala, while 50 tourists were stranded in Bhagsunath near Mcleodganj, officials said.
A youth was drowned in Alsu khud in Sundernagar area of Mandi district as discharge of water increased suddenly due to rains, they said.
Heavy rains continued in Kangra district and an alert was sounded, advising people living along the river banks to move to safer places in view of possible cloudburst.

Dharamsala was wettest in the region with 98 mm rains, while Gohar and Sundernagar in Mandi district received 91 mm and 72 mm rainfall.
Elsewhere, Kasol received 62 mm rainfall, followed by Jubberhatti at 46 mm, Baldwara 40 mm, Kasauli 38 mm, Manali 29 mm, Palampur 19 mm and Bangana 18 mm.
The state capital Shimla received 15 mm downpour.
Meanwhile, the mercury rose marginally across the state. Una was the hottest in the region with maximum 33.6 deg C, while Kangra and Sundernagar recorded a high of 31.4 deg C and 30.8 deg C respectively.